Chester Zoo has paid tribute to NHS staff by naming five baby penguins after hospitals.

The chicks, which arrived between 26 March and 14 April, have been called Florence (after Florence Nightingale), Thomas (after St Thomas’ Hospital), Bevan (after Aneurin Bevan who founded the NHS), Arrowe (after Arrowe Park Hospital) and Countess (named after the zoo’s local hospital – the Countess of Chester Hospital).

Conservationists at the zoo in Cheshire, north-west England, select a different naming theme each year for the endangered Humboldt baby penguins to keep track of them.

They have previously been named after brands of crisps, chocolate bars and British Olympic athletes.

The chicks arrived between 26 March and 14 April (Picture: Chester Zoo)

The penguins are usually found on the coastal shores of Peru and Chile. (Picture: Chester Zoo)

This year Chester Zoo decided to recognise the hard work done by “UK’s NHS Heroes”.

Anne Morris, Lead Penguin Keeper, said: “Each year, the team chooses a new naming theme for the chicks and, given everything that is happening around us, we decided to name this year’s class after NHS hospitals in acknowledgment of our wonderful NHS Heroes – just as a little thank you from everyone here at the zoo.”